Chapter 12: The Turning Point**
The sixty-day mark arrived, bringing with it a mandatory mediation session before the final custody hearing. They sat in a sterile conference room in the courthouse. Peter and Mark on one side of a long mahogany table, Diane and her lawyer on the other.
Diane looked better than she had at the grocery store, clearly trying to present a clean, maternal image for the mediator.
"My client has completed a thirty-day outpatient program," Diane's lawyer began smoothly. "She has secured part-time employment and is ready to slowly integrate the children back into her life through supervised visits."
Mark didn't miss a beat. He slid a thick manila folder across the table.
"This is the police report from the grocery store incident, where your client violated the restraining order and traumatized the children," Mark said coolly. He slid another paper forward. "And these are the notes from the children's psychologist, detailing the severe PTSD both minors suffer as a direct result of Ms. Hayes's actions. Dr. Evans strongly advises against any contact, supervised or otherwise."
Diane’s lawyer looked at the documents, a slight frown breaking his professional facade.
"They need their mother," Diane interjected, her voice trembling with rising anger.
"They needed a mother when they were starving in the dark," Peter spoke up for the first time, his voice cold and unwavering. "They have a parent now. Me."
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The mediator, a stern-looking woman, reviewed the psychological evaluation. "Given the severity of the trauma and the recent restraining order violation, mediation is unsuccessful. I will be recommending to the judge that full, permanent custody be awarded to Mr. Hayes."
Diane stood up, tears of defeat spilling over her mascara, and stormed out of the room. Peter looked at Mark, the heavy weight of the last two months finally beginning to lift from his shoulders. They were almost at the finish line.
